Your most frequent questions. Including update on CVS $139 plan.
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Your most frequent questions. Including update on CVS $139 plan.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We are flying to Maui from Newark with a stop in Honolulu. Will ou mainland covid test allow us not to quarantine in Maui. I sure hope so
Hi Susan.
We certainly believe so. The state must clarify all of these questions of course.
Aloha.
If I’m in EST time zone and the last leg of my flight is PDT, I assume the 72 hours would be based on PDT correct?
Please clarify the “test within 72 hours of the last leg” does this mean you have to have the test at the last leg of your flight or only that the 72 hour clock starts at your last leg?
Thank you
Hi Henry.
It is our understanding it means that the clock starts with the last leg. You can take the test elsewhere.
Aloha.
Is a PCR test the same as a NAAT test??
That is a question many are asking
Thank you
John G.
Hi John.
The bottom line on this is that Hawaii will need to update specifically what tests will be accepted. We do believe there will be changes coming to that shortly.
Aloha.
I just now read that Oakland’s International Airport will be offering free covid-19 tests for all Hawaii bound travelers beginning Oct 15th. Further info may be found at the Port of Oakland website and the Oakland airport website.
Can or will insurences pay for the test?
I’m a returning resident to Maui traveling from Europe via one of the hub cities on the mainland.
I can get a test here in Europe but it won’t be State or US approved. It seems that unless I stop of on the mainland I will have to quarantine?
I keep telling you fools that this aint gonna happen. The entire state of Hawaii bureaucracy is completely incompetent–and the counties aren’t any better. These fools couldn’t manage a lu’au. After 7+ months of total inaction and failures–you think they’ve all of a sudden become lucid, intelligent, public servants? Think again.
The s.-show that is Hawaii 2020 will continue unabated until at least 2021–well after a vaccine has been developed–and administered to the entire state–by the federal government.
Aloha Guys
Critical Questions/Answers Include CVS Test Details | Hawaii Travel Reopening
And at 2 weeks before reopening there stills seems to be far more questions then answers.
I canceled our planned vacation to Maui for late October good thing cause this weekend our 12 year old water heater took a dump.
Hey Guys
Do you think CVS will offer covid testing discount coupons to people holding CVS Extra Care Cards.
“Ok that’s a case of Bud Light, 2 hand scooped ice cream cones, large Pepto Bismol and Reef Safe Suntan lotion. Lets scan that CVS Extra Care Card. Oh look you have a 20 percent off coupon for your next $139.00 Hawaiian certified covid test.”
It’s 2020 anything is possible.
Hi Richard.
Thanks for adding some levity again here.
Aloha.
Dear Beat of Hawaii,
We have reservations at a Kailua-Kona condo for the six weeks in January and February 2021 through VRBO. What’s confusing to us is that as I understand it, Vacation rentals are prohibited at this time. Does that limitation apply to us or not. Please advise.
Thanks,
Bill T
Hi Bill.
Vacation rentals are permitted so long as guests aren’t under quarantine, so that should not be an issue. Stay tuned for more information.
Aloha.
Thank you for your quick response!
Aloha
This whole procedure is so vague that it leaves even more questions than answers. I am critical to state officials that have had months….Months to come up with a plan. Yet answers are not easy to discern. First, is this tracking form to fill out which I disagree with but will fill out. We are treated as criminals not citizens and tracking, checking on where we are reminds me of being on parole. Sorry but tracking people is what governments that are not democratic do…we are on that pace. Fear that for sure.
Second, what is this about travels need to find an approved test. I would hope the state with all their databases can post links to testing (home test kits, onsite tests) that are processed in labs they approve. Don’t make this harder on citizens of the U.S state of Hawaii government.
It just seems like a third rate process by a state government. Provide answers and a plan or maybe get out of the way and open up the state.
Is the CVS test an approved NAAT test?
Another great update, thanks for the latest information.
All of the questions you pose are valid, and important. The State is really cutting it close, again, and certainly not making it easy on potential visitors. It would probably be wise to let the dust settle before risking disappointment and a wasted trip. And as others have said, it appears that many hotels and other businesses will not even be ready for the resumption of tourism.
Hi Mike.
Yes, we concur it will be interesting at first given the lack of advance notice from the state. It some ways it is getting clearer and in other ways it is getting weirder as we get so close to the October 15 date. Thanks.
Aloha.
What are the options for children ages 5-12 for testing??
Do you really think they will open Oct 15? Thanks for all the great information.
Hi Oscar.
We do think that the mainland to Hawaii will reopen with testing on October 15. Of course, like you, we await more clarification to the many questions.
Aloha.
I live here. My business is dependent on tourism so I’m not anti-tourism and would love to welcome our visitors back safely. However, our Governor is not making this easy. Like you stated, there is ZERO communication. And yes, testing is not free. I just returned from exercising in Wailea, its a ghost town. I do not know of any large resort hotel that is opening in October. What are the early visitors coming to? Where are they staying? We are not quite ready to receive visitors and we need them to return. October 1st we are no closer to any solid solutions than we were on April 1st. It’s tragic.
so tragic
Aloha And thank you for the updates. I read an interesting – and heartfelt – letter to the editor of the The Garden Isle (Kauai) newspaper. And, while the Mainlanders on this blog are not going to like me (sorry), I agree with her. And, I am a haole on the Mainland. Kauai has no current COVID-19 cases. In fact Kauai is actually one of the safest places on earth in this pandemic. The writer is genuinely concerned that Kauai will be a victim of opening without proven testing protocols. It will only take a few cases spread to locals and then to their families (kapuna) to over run the hospital with all of 18 ventilators. Aloha
Hi Tom.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We will be leaving from Indianapolis IN to Maui — so do we take the 72 hour test at CVS in Indy and then we need to take a post 72 at Maui?
The test is free in all other states why is Hawaii chargeing and why such a huge price?
Do you really think they will open Oct 15? Thanks for all the great information.
Hi Oscar.
It is almost certain that the state will open to at least some degree on October 15. We’re awaiting more news on this.
Aloha.
This is greed and price gouging for sure. Any savings on airline tickets is swallowed up by $139?!
What happened to the $20.00 test? The more we have to spend to get there is less we have to spend there. Maybe not worth it.
So ridiculous that any savings we have on the specials are eaten up by a test that cost $140?
Just called to CVS in LA Orange County and they told me don’t have any 72 hours test for travel to Hawaii!! Never heard of. So probably again postponed? Stupid HI government.
Looks like things are still confusing with regard to testing prior to arrival in Hawaii. I don’t trust any Hawaii officials to have everything finalized prior to October 15. Their road track for reopening over the past months speaks for itself. I would not dare to make plans before May of next year for a trip there. Still too many if’s, ands, and buts to risk purchasing air and hotel reservations yet.
Hello Beat of Hawaii, thank you again for the updates. Is there any information on how people are going to submit their test results to the state and what measures the state will take to verify that the test is compliant with the requirements ? Will we need to show our results on our phone when we are processed on arrival ? Is a hardcopy of the test results required or preferred ?
Hi AW.
Thanks. It will be done in conjunction with the Hawaii Safe Travel app. https://travel.hawaii.gov/#/. There will undoubtedly be other options as well.
Aloha.
I am planning on traveling to Oahu in November for a one week stay and then on to Maui for an additional week. I understand the need for a COVID-19 test to enter Oahu, but am not sure if I will need another test for my stay in Maui. Any information you have on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Mahalo
Hi Janet.
Good question and one where we expect to have the answers in the next couple of updates from the state.
Aloha.
What about Canadians and covid testing?
Thanks
Hi Eric.
We have not heard a word about international arrivals. We’ll post that as soon as we do.
Aloha.
TPA (Tampa International Airport) just announced it will partner with BayCare to provide Covid testing at the main terminal. The initial trial period will be from October 1 through October 31 and will continue if it’s successful. They will offer both the swab and the rapid antigen tests. Have you heard anything about the rapid antigen tests being approved for Hawaii? If approved, this is great news for us east coast travelers as we could have results from a 15-minute antigen test just prior to departing from Florida. As always, thanks for keeping us informed. We look forward to your reports every day.
Hi Pam.
Yes, the antigen tests are something the lieutenant governor has suggested. We don’t yet know if those will come to fruition for October 15 or at a future date.
Aloha.
Thank you for your continued efforts to get the facts and questions answered on the trans-Pac travel into Hawaii. Officials’ answers to question #5 are still very unclear. What is the definition of “test administered”? Is that the time the sample is collected with the swab (ie, your appointment time)? And what happens if your flight is delayed?!
Thanks again,
Hi Jennifer.
Yes, another good and frequent question. Being delayed is not unusual and needs to be addressed. We do assume the administration time is that of the collection process. How that is tracked, however, isn’t clear.
thank you for info! Regarding 72 hr test from Final departure problem: Southwest cancelled flights Maui to San Diego in October, and I must spend the night in Oakland to catch a limited flight back to Maui, via Honolulu. My 6 hour direct flight turned into 26 hours. I arrive in Oakland at 7 pm and depart Oakland at 9 am following morning. If I can’t get a late-night test or very early morning test, I’ll have to do 14-days. I’m a Maui resident. I was going to get the test in San Diego before leaving for Oakland. Do you know if this would be acceptable, it’s still the same state at least? Mahalo.
Hi Nancy.
We hope that there is much more clarity provided by the state later this week in order for this process to make sense.
Aloha.
Man, my lab assures me clia cert and naat……
But due to delays, i could get a positive report while half way to Hawaii or there.
I cannot believe that there is not in place to haVe a visitor tested after 7 days so to release them to a part of their expensive vacation. Mahalo.
Hi Jeanne.
So far, the state is saying that testing within Hawaii will not be offered in relation to travel.
Aloha.
Thank you for all of this info. I realize this is all new, and kinks will need to be worked out. The issue we are having is that our flight is on a Tuesday, and we have found no labs that test on the weekends. I have been told that if we took a test on the Friday prior that it would not be accepted. Our only option would be to take the test on Monday, one day prior to departure, travel, and get stuck in a hotel in addition to paying for the condo we have rented. We have found no options in order to fly since our flight is on a Tuesday. We would love to hear if there are options we are unaware of. Thank you
Hi Karen.
Yes that is really challenging. Stand by as we hope to have more answers later this week.
Aloha.
I have been in quarantine at my own home on Hawaii Island since September 23rd. My friend came with me to keep me company during my quarantine period. She will be going home the day after our quarantine period ends. My car is not here from the mainland yet so we will have to get an Uber to the airport on October 8th. How do I prove that my quarantine is over so I can rent a car? If anyone has an answer, please, I would like to know.
Hi Teresa.
Suggest calling the local office of the car rental company to inquire.
Aloha.
Thank you!
Thanks for you guys attempts to provide solid information. Let’s be real – the Hawaii state government should be embarrassed. Their specialty seems to be announcing half-baked plans that include incomplete, confusing or conflicting information. Seven months into this and they can’t form and articulate a coherent reopening protocol? It’s really ridiculous.
Hi John.
Thanks. What can we say that we haven’t already?
Aloha.
We live 3 hours from a major city. We drive 3 hours to fly out. What if smaller CVS locations aren’t set up to test?
Aloha, after understanding that a PCR test, authorized by the FDA and processed by a CLIA certified Laboratory in Canada is not accepted, I rearanged and found a flight from Toronto to Maui via San Francisco, where we can do the Test at the Airport. United was very helpful (I am a Million Mile Flyer) as well as the fellow at GoHealth. I also contacted Hawaian Air, they had no clue about any testing availability before a flight. Now we have to keep our fingers crossed ……
After all this time and the plan is still as clear as mud. In answer to your one question…no, the Lt. Gov.’s answer does nothing to reassure or instill confidence in being able to travel to the islands without quarantine. Sounds like Gov. Ige is taking his cues from Biden and hiding out in his basement. I guess that is what you do when you know you cannot answer the questions the media is going to ask you.
Hi Sheryl! Ha Ha!!! I agree with you…when in doubt “Hide it Out!” less you open your mouth and continue to sound like an incompetent fool ! …It is hard to get my head around this never-ending tale of miscommunication…Our family wants to come out for Christmas for our 3rd year in a row, but as I keep telling my hubby, without BOH I would have no idea what is going on and if our unplanned as of yet pipe dream might ever materialize. I remain hopeful and heartbroken at the Covid chaos which has & will affect Hawaiians for years to come. As of today (9/29/20) 134 total deaths and this interesting factoid from a local paper called the Honolulu Star-Advertiser…”The Health Department has yet to officially count more than a dozen of the latest deaths at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, which has been the site of a major COVID-19 cluster. Hilo Medical Center has reported that 26 of the Big Island’s 28 coronavirus-related deaths have been residents of the nursing home. The state has only verified coronavirus as a factor in 15 deaths from that island”…..Hmm? Wonder how many deaths were from elderly not protected in a nursing home or like? Sounds like NYC- Once you extrapolate the true data, what is the real risk for those outside of the acknowledged vulnerable (elderly, diabetic, obese)? Protect the vulnerable Hawaii! and rescue the rest of the Hawaiian economy, citizen’s livelihoods, as well as individual freedoms. Mahalo BOH for keeping us informed!
Hi Nita.
Thanks for your many comments.
Aloha.
I still have a question about the state-approved test. As best I can tell, there are two types of active COVID tests – NAAT and RT-PCR. The state said they require the NAAT test. I live in Colorado and contacted Walgreens who told me that they offer the RT-PCR test which is not the one required by the state of Hawaii. Anyone have any idea if they are different and if so, where NAAT test are available?
We are also in Colorado, and have been told to check with National Jewish who has an on site lab, but I am not sure yet what test they provide.
The RT-PCR is a type of NAAT test. The fda website has good information on all of the different test types.
I called 800 GO HAWAII and they said that the PCR test is not accepted. Are they confused?
$139 per test per person. That is price-gouging by CVS. There are other tests. If CVS holds to their $139 price, I will never set foot in their stores again.
Mike
You think that’s bad United is charging 250 for a test that I heard costs 5.00.
I agree!!
Sure is!
Called several CVS stores near Sioux Falls, SD, where we will be flying from to return home… Every single one said that they do not offer a test to get back into Hawaii. We then called Kaiser, and they said they do not have the state specifications yet as to which test they have to reimburse CVS for. We then called the governors office as well as the lieutenant governor‘s office and nobody would pick up the phone as they recommended us go write an email. The whole thing is pretty disgusting.
If the rapid Abbott Test becomes available with the corresponding phone app showing negative test results, will that test be accepted??
can you provide the source for the airlines tests being approved by state? As I understand, they’re not PCR tests, thus not approved. Thank you.
Hi Tim.
We were told by both the state and the airlines that they had been approved. We’ll await the official details.
Aloha.
Thanks BOH for the updates. First I’m happy for Hawaii and that they are opening up and people can get back to work. Great news !!
On the other hand this all sounds, as someone said “clear as mud”.
Best of luck to the lovely people of Hawaii. I’m still going to wait until 2022 to visit again. Maybe by then they’ll have it clearly figured out, and it won’t be such a hassle to come there. Fingers crossed.
Mahalo
Hi Donna.
Well stated. LOL.
Aloha.
Smartest post I’ve seen…as everyone seems to be in this hurry to go and help spread virus all over the islands. I think by 2022 we should be in a different place, but in 2021 this won’t even be close. The sad joke now is that people are now, and will continue to fly…WITHOUT TESTS (no one can force anyone to take a test) and say they will commit to a quarantine…but then slip out and do whatever they want. These people will be on your airplanes with you, possibly in front, behind, or sitting across the aisle from you…and you’ll never know? The airlines and Hawaii are making it sound like everyone on the plane will have a negative test in hand…which is not going to be the case. The anti-masker types are not going to buy into any of this, and they are the greatest danger to all society at the moment.